National Umpiring Program - softball.org.au

Edition August 2009

Andrew Rindfleish

In previous months I have talked about a number of tools and techniques that help in
an umpire’s development. This month I’d like to cover some aspects of mentoring.
Mentoring is a term heard around softball umpires, sometimes to describe what really
is mentoring, sometimes what is not.

Of all the development tools, mentoring is really the most personal. In fact mentoring
should always be thought of as a “mentor relationship” because it is the relationship
that is at the crux of mentoring. Mentoring is all about building a relationship. The
same sort of concerns we have about personal relationships equally apply to mentor
relationships for softball umpires.

In a mentor relationship, the mentee should have only a small number of mentors, and
some would even argue that a mentee should only have one mentor. On the other
hand, a mentor can easily work with a number of mentees. Given the mentor will most
often be a more experienced and senior umpire, the fact is that higher up the accreditation ladder you go,
there are less umpires.

There are some officiating programs that have structured, formal mentoring programs where individual mentors
and mentees are forced to work together. For the same reason that most blind dates do not lead to long term
and beneficial relationships, so formal programs often place incompatible couples together. Administrators of
such structured programs need to be really conscious of this.

A successful mentor relationship requires significant input and buy-in by both parties. Both have to agree to be
in this relationship in the first place. The mentee must drive the relationship by setting and keeping meetings
and ensuring the relationship flourishes- this relationship is for his/her benefit. The mentor has to agree to be
available for the mentee and to be open and honest in providing feedback and support for the mentee.

I often hear that umpire development programs, particularly junior umpire development programs, have a
mentoring component. Whilst there may be some close relationships between the junior umpires and the senior
umpire and these form an important part of grass roots umpire development, most of these programs serve an
ad hoc training or minding function.

The principles of a successful mentor relationship are:
• Focus is on the mentee
• Define the outcomes of the relationship
• Respect for each other
• Regular communication
• Driven by the mentee
• Don’t be afraid to end the relationship and move on

There is no doubt we can all benefit from feedback, guidance and support that can be often best provided
through an open, honest, strong and effective mentoring relationship.

National Umpiring Program
Website: www.umpiring.softball.org.au BNOL Submissions to [email protected]

Braving the cold in Canberra by Sarah Houston

Normally in Canberra at this time of the year, our umpire’s uniforms are tucked away in the
warmth of their wardrobes, and our umpires are at home drinking hot chocolate and enjoying the
warmth of their log fires.
Some hearty souls, who over the last two years have braved the elements to support Softball ACT’s
Winter competition. This competition lasts anywhere from 8 – 12 weeks (depending on how many
rounds are washed/snowed out) right in the middle of winter. These brave souls have accepted
the challenge of umpiring these weeknight games in minus degree temperatures.
This year things are a little different with the introduction of ‘Speedball’, a faster, more exciting
form of the original game. Some of the rule changes include each team having three innings at bat,
with 10 minutes in each to get as many runs as they can with unrestricted outs. Pitchers and
batters are restricted to a time limit to pitch and get in the box, no conferences are allowed, there
are only 3 balls and 2 strikes to play with, a wider home plate and larger strike zone and no drop
third strike or infield fly rules.
Feedback from the players has been largely positive with certainly the speed of the game making it
more exciting. The umpires have had to be on their game, with the changed rules and having to
watch the clock for when the 10 minutes is up. The high standard of umpiring has certainly
enhanced winter ball and will help it maintain its growing popularity with the players and officials.
So here’s a cheer to our brave Winter Competition Umpires.

Braving the elements: ACT umpires Brianna Williams, Diana Kropp and
Rebekah Pearson ensure they rug up before going out in the Canberra night
air during the winter competition.

National Umpiring Program
Website: www.umpiring.softball.org.au BNOL Submissions to [email protected]

2009 NSW U19 Women’s State Championship By Jesse Smith

Twelve teams and an umpiring crew of approximately nineteen descended on Blacktown Olympic
Park to participate in the 2009 U19 Women’s State Championship. Seven members of the umpiring
crew were being assessed for their Level 3 Accreditation, six of whom continued their assessment
at the U19 Men’s State Championship two weeks later.

In cold conditions, teams battled it out for top positions in each
pool until Sunday lunch. Game results were unpredictable across
the weekend, which resulted in some close games. With rain on the
radar, and the cross pool play-offs complete, the decision was made
to abort the Prelim Final in order to bring forward the Grand Final.
Congratulations to the following umpires who were appointed to the
Grand Final: Plate: Vicki Lansley, 1st: Greg Zucchetti, 3rd: Leanne
Gearside, LF: Peter Medbury, RF: Sharyn Girdler (Pictured left by
Gary McGinty).

A highlight of the weekend was the feedback provided to all
umpires, not just candidates, by the very experienced management
crew. At the end of the tournament, each umpire was provided with a brief report that categorised
‘what worked well’ and things to ‘take a look at.’ This was very useful feedback that will certainly
assist all umpires develop their performances into the future.

Examiner training was also conducted over the weekend.
This provided regional umpires with the opportunity to
develop their knowledge of the examination system and
have questions answered by experienced National
Examiners. For those fortunate enough to be involved, it
was very beneficial and greatly appreciated.

Congratulations must go to the candidates for the manner
in which they conducted themselves and umpired over the
weekend. Following the U19 Women’s, Andrew Cocks
(pictured right with UIC, Scott Rindfleish, courtesy of Gary
McGinty), from Manly Warringah Softball Association, was
successful in gaining his Level 3 Umpire Accreditation –
congratulations, Andrew!

NSW’s top six Under 19 Men’s association representative teams came together at Blacktown
Olympic Park to battle for the title of ‘State Champion’. A close competition saw each team win
and lose in unpredictable fashion. Umpires from all over NSW united to serve the game under the
leadership of UIC Bruce McCahon.

The playoffs commenced in the second timeslot on Sunday and the top 4 teams certainly provided
awesome spectator viewing. Eventual champions, Macarthur, showed supremacy, winning the
semi-final against Georges River. A rematch between these two teams occurred in the grand final.
A dominant pitching performance by Harry Peters, who was well supported by a strong and deep
hitting line up, ensured Macarthur would take the crown as State Champions for 2009.

National Umpiring Program
Website: www.umpiring.softball.org.au BNOL Submissions to [email protected]

The four key games of the finals were
officiated using a 5 man umpiring crew.
This allowed excellent ground coverage
and an exciting way to reward great
umpiring performances.

A big thank you must be expressed to all
umpires for their hard work throughout
the event, and congratulations on a great
performance in managing the,
sometimes, fiery and ever aggressive U19
men’s competition.

Six candidate umpires were under
additional pressure and definitely rose to
the challenge! NSW awarded Level 3 Accreditation to: Chris Ioannou, Garry Grimes, Vic
Guillaumier, Robert McIntosh, Steve Smith and Shane Wells, bringing the NSW Level 3 count to 18.
(Photo above, courtesy of Gary McGinty).

The examination process for these gentlemen was split 50/50 across this event and the Under 19
Women’s State Championship two weeks prior. The obvious challenge was to step up for the back
end of the examination after a week break to complete the final three games at the men’s
competition. Congratulations to you all on a job very well done!

Congratulations also to the following umpires who were appointed to the Grand Final: Plate: Scott
Rindfleish, 1st: Howard Watt, 3rd: Amanda Houison, LF: Vicki Lansley, RF: Leanne Gearside.

2009 NSW U16’s State Championships
Twenty teams descended on western Sydney to contest this year’s U16’s State Championships. Both
male and female competitors represented their affiliates across a cold and, at times, wet weekend
in Campbelltown.

Darrell Shephard led a very large umpiring crew at the tournament, with the assistance of Deputy
UICs Bruce McCahon and Greg Baker. The management crew was supported across the weekend by
5 examiners.

An early morning frost in the west did not deter enthusiasm as all umpires arrived for their early
morning pre-tournament meeting at the grounds. Administration complete, the games started just
as the sun began to appear through the clouds. Saturday saw a mixture of results across the two
female pools, and in the boy’s competition, results were also relatively unpredictable.

Unfortunately for those who like sleeping in, Sunday’s competition started at 8am, requiring all
umpires to be at the grounds by 7:15. The morning frost did a great job at freezing everyone’s
extremities! After the beginning of the second timeslot at approximately 10am, the mercury read
only 6 degrees, and failed to rise much higher for the rest of the day. The girl’s playoffs started in
the fourth timeslot on Sunday, while the boy’s grand final was decided by results from their
straight round robin.

National Umpiring Program
Website: www.umpiring.softball.org.au BNOL Submissions to [email protected]

Manly and Hornsby met in the girl’s grand final, while Southern Districts and Georges River faced
off in the boy’s grand final. The girl’s game was a very close encounter, with Manly scoring 1 run in
the sixth inning to take the Championship. The boy’s final saw Southern Districts take an early
lead, only for Georges River to fight back and take the lead in the fourth. With loaded bases in the
sixth, a grand-slam by Kayne Kajan ensured Southern Districts would take the win.

Congratulations to the following umpires who were appointed to the Grand Finals: Girl’s: (Above
left) Plate: Jay Gibson, 1st: Leanne Gearside, 3rd: Greg Zucchetti, LF: Shane Wells, RF: Chris
Ioannou. Boy’s: (Above right) Plate: Jesse Smith, 1st: Kyira Cox, 3rd: Sharyn Girdler, LF: James
English, RF: Robert McIntosh. (Photo courtesy of Gary McGinty).

Across the weekend, a number of candidates put themselves to the test in the hope of gaining their
Level 2 Umpire Accreditations. The unpredictable game results challenged all candidates and
required strong umpiring. A big thank you must be expressed to all umpires for making themselves
available for this year’s championships. On behalf of the crew, thank you to Darrell and his team

for ensuring the weekend was
enjoyable for all umpires.

At the end of the weekend,
four candidates were
successful in gaining their
Level 2 Accreditations:

(Left top) Myles Lego
(Hornsby), (Left bottom)
Dermot O’Daly (Macarthur),
(Right top) Kristina Travers
(Macarthur) & (Bottom right)
Darren Edwards (Sutherland).

Congratulations to all four
candidates on a job well
done! We wish you all well in
your future umpiring
endeavours. (Photos by of
Gary McGinty).

National Umpiring Program
Website: www.umpiring.softball.org.au BNOL Submissions to [email protected]

Busy time for Queensland Umpires by Mark Toft

The Queensland umpires are gearing up for a busy time as the annual State Championships will be
held over the next couple of months. Under 16 Boys and Girls, Under 19 Youth and Women, Open
Women and Open Men will be contested and manned by Queensland’s best in the Blue team.

Following success in selecting the crew for the 2008 Men’s State Championships Queensland have
used a new system in crewing state championships. Umpires have been asked to nominate which
championships they wish to attend and are selected by the Umpiring State Directorate. This system
will be used for all State Championships this year except for the Under 14 and Under 16
Championships.

Under 16 Girls will be held at Downey Park, Brisbane 19-21 September
UIC – Yvonne Kahler, Examiners Stephen Gutteridge and Ron Yardley, Trainee Examiners Sally
Crawford, Peter Walsh and Norelle Thomas.

Under 16 Boys will be held in Caboolture 19-21 September
UIC – Darren Sibraa, Examiners Ian Frame and David Casey, Trainee Examiners, Matt Blake, Jana
McCaskill and Jamie Harries.

Under 19 Women will be held in Wynnum 2-4 October
UIC – Ian Frame, Examiners Ron Trow and Ian Bunston.

Under 19 Youths will be held in Noosa 2-4 October
UIC – Tricia Sibraa, Examiners Darren Sibraa, Helen Strauss.

Queensland Cup & Open Women’s will be held at Redlands 4-6 September.
UIC – Tricia Sibraa, Examiners Darren Sibraa and Yvonne Kahler.

Queensland Cup & Open Men’s will be held in Toowoomba 27-29 November
UIC – Tricia Sibraa, Examiners Trevor Pascall and Mark Toft.

Queensland Forum

Recently the umpire coordinators from all of the District Associations came together in Brisbane for
the annual Umpiring Forum.

State Director, Darren Sibraa went through the results of the previous year and bought the
coordinators up-to-date with a number of new processes for the year ahead. On top of the agenda
was the new positioning and signals which will be adopted throughout the State this year.

It is envisaged that the coordinators will be able to go back to their district associations to put into
place the new changes. Many associations in Queensland are in a summer recess with very few who
play winter. The upcoming State Championships will also give the Queensland umpires a chance to
hone their new-learnt skills.

National Umpiring Program
Website: www.umpiring.softball.org.au BNOL Submissions to [email protected]

Umpires in the Spotlight by Stacey Evans

The recent Victorian State Dinner was the venue where two prestigious awards were presented by
the Victoria Umpiring Committee.

The John Larter Umpire Development Scholarship and the Margo Koskelainen Victorian Umpire of
the Year Award. Two umpires were also recognized for their exceptional service to softball in
Victoria with Merle Short Service awards and Life Memberships.

The John Larter Umpire Development Scholarship is designed to assist level one umpires with the
purchase of umpire equipment (thanks to the generous support of VSA and Fielder’s Choice).

The nominees for the John Larter Umpire Development Scholarship are:
- Alex Van Kesteren from Albury Softball Association

- Alan Van Breda from Albury Softball Association

- David Luisetto from Glen Eira Softball Association

- Brett Tyler from Waverley Softball Association

And the award goes to…

Alan Van Breda

Alan was the plate umpire in the Under14 State Championships A-grade girls final. Alan’s goal is to
obtain Level 2 in 2009.

The June and July editions of Blue’s News On-Line recognised The Margo Koskelainen Victoria
Umpire of the Year recipients Diane Waller and Debbie Grove. While an article in honour of
Victorian Umpiring stalwarts Leigh Evans and Kevin Broomhall who were bestowed the Merle Short
Service Award and inducted as life members of Softball Victoria has appeared in previous edition.

WORLD
CHAMPIONS

The Australian Open
Men’s team were
crowned World
Champions following
their win against New
Zealand in final in
Canada recently.

National Umpiring Program
Website: www.umpiring.softball.org.au BNOL Submissions to [email protected]